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Court Order OrientationShared Parenting
ProgramEl Paso County Domestic Relations Office
(915) 834-8200500 E. San Antonio, Room LL108
El Paso, Texas 79901epcounty.com/dro Updated 2/9/16
Purpose of this Orientation
• To provide basic information to separated parents regarding:– Shared Parenting– Rights and duties of conservators– Consequences of violating court orders– Standard Access and Parenting Time
Schedules
Shared Parenting“A healthy relationship between mom and dad makes it significantly more likely that a child will benefit from
times spent with their dads.” Child & Family Research Partnership
Shared Parenting: Children who grow up with fathers:Do Better in School• 39% more likely to earn A’s• 45 % less likely to repeat a grade• 60% less likely to be suspended
or expelled from school• Score approximately 8 points
higher on math and reading tests• Sore 6 points higher on IQ tests• Twice as likely to go to college
and find stable employment after high school
And in Life• 75% less likely to have a teen
birth• 80% less likely to spend time in
jail• Half as likely to experience
multiple symptoms of depression• 4% less likely to experience
cognitive delay
Source: Child & Family Research Partnership
Shared Parenting Time Can Be Whatever Both Parents Say It is:
Parents are encouraged to create their own parenting time schedules designed to meet
the needs of their child(ren) and can be accomplished through Attorneys, Mediation,
DRO Access facilitation, DRO parent conferences and alternative dispute
resolutions servicesKeys to Success• Be honest in looking at your family’s needs• Focus on the needs of your children
Shared Parenting Texas Family Code §153.001
The public policy of Texas is to: (1) assure that children will have frequent and continuing contact with parents who have demonstrated the ability to act in the best interest of the child; (2) provide a safe, stable, and nonviolent environment for the child; and (3) encourage parents to share in the rights and duties of raising their child after the parents have separated or dissolved their marriage.
Conservatorship• When parents separate or divorce,
the court and your order will refer to parents as “conservators.”
• Each conservator has: rights and dutiesare responsible for the support of
their children.are entitled to have on-going
parenting time of their children
Conservatorship• Joint Managing Conservators
– Custodial Parent: Designates primary residence– Non-custodial Parent: Equal rights and obligations
• Managing/Possessory Conservators– Custodial Parent: Managing Conservator, carries more
parental obligations– Non-Custodial Parent: Possessory Conservator,
limited rights, obligation of child support
Remember
• The difference between the Custodial Parent (CP) and the Non-Custodial Parent (NCP) is one parent will designate the child’s residence.
• Both Conservators share the legal rights and responsibilities that affect their child’s health, education and welfare.
Texas Family Code §153.001
A court may not render an order that conditions the right of a conservator to
parenting time of a child or access to a child on the
payment of child support.
RememberYOU ARE NOT PERMITTED TO DENY
PARENTING TIME BECAUSE THE OTHER PARENT IS NOT PAYING CHILD SUPPORT
You are not permitted to stop payment of child support due to
denial of parenting time
Texas Family Code §42.002
CIVIL LIABILITY FOR INTERFERENCE WITH POSSESSORY RIGHT.
• Applies to parent who is withholding the child from the other parent (possessory conservator)
Texas Family Code § 42.002
• A person who takes or retains a child or who conceals the whereabouts of a child in violation of a possessory right (parenting time) of another person may be liable for damages to that person.
– A possessory right (parenting time) is violated by the taking, retention, or concealment of a child at a time when another person is entitled to parenting time of or access to the child.
Penalities underTexas Family Code § 42.002
• Contempt of Court – Incarceration
• Civil - indefinite incarceration
• Criminal – up to 180 days for each violation
– Fines (max $500)– Money Damages and
both attorney’s fees
• Loss of custodial preference (can lose your
Custodial Status)
• Loss of parenting time
• “Make-up” parenting time
• Probation– Maximum of 10 years
Texas Penal Code §25.03
INTERFERENCE WITH CHILD CUSTODY
Penalty: State Jail FelonyUp to 2 years in prison
• This pertains to a parent withholding the child from the other parent
Texas Penal Code §25.03
A person commits an offense if the person:– takes or retains a child younger than
18 years when the person Knows that the person's taking or retention violates the express terms of a judgment or order of a court disposing of the child's custody;
– or
Texas Penal Code §25.03Has not been awarded custody of the child by a court of competent jurisdiction, – knows that a suit…has been filed, and– takes the child out of the geographic
area of the county … – without the permission of the court and – with the intent to deprive the court of
authority over the child.
A noncustodial parent commits an offense if, – with the intent to interfere with the
lawful custody of a child younger than 18 years,
– the noncustodial parent knowingly entices or persuades the child to leave the custody of the custodial
parent, guardian, or person standing in the stead of the custodial parent or
guardian of the child.
Texas Penal Code §25.03
Rights and duties of a conservator at all times
Texas Family Code § 153.073
Texas Family Code §153.073(a) Unless limited by court order, a parent
appointed as a conservator of a child has at all times the right:
• to receive information from any other conservator of the child concerning the health, education, and welfare of the child;
• to confer with the other parent to the extent possible before making a decision concerning the health, education, and welfare of the child;
• of access to medical, dental, psychological, and educational records of the child;
Texas Family Code § 153.073
• to consult with a physician, dentist, or psychologist of the child;
• to consult with school officials concerning the child's welfare and educational status, including school activities;
• to attend school activities; whether they are with you or not
Texas Family Code §153.073• to be designated on the child's records as a
person to be notified in case of an emergency;• to consent to medical, dental, and surgical
treatment during an emergency involving an immediate danger to the health and safety of the child; and
• to manage the estate of the child to the extent the estate has been created by the parent or the parent's family.
Rights and duties during parenting time
Texas Family Code §153.074
Texas Family Code § 153.074
• the duty of care, control, protection, and reasonable discipline of the child;
• the duty to support the child, including providing the child with clothing, food, shelter, and medical and dental care not involving an invasive procedure;
• the right to consent for the child to medical and dental care not involving an invasive procedure; and
• the right to direct the moral and religious training of the child.
Texas Family Code §153.074
Standard Possession Schedule
Parenting Time
Remember• The following is a standard order, it may used by the
court when setting up parenting time. • It is recommended that you design a customized
parenting schedule that focuses on your child(ren)’s needs and not yours, be creative, think outside the box, don’t think of a win/lose situation.
• If the court has ordered the standard order carefully read your order. If you have questions or concerns get clarification from an Attorney.
Parents residing within 100 miles of each other
Texas Family Code § 153.312
Non Custodial Parent commonly has weekends throughout the school year
• beginning at 6 p.m. on the first, third, and fifth Friday of each month
• ending at 6 p.m. on the following Sunday• As illustrated in the AG of Texas Calendar (click below)• My Sticker Calendar
Texas Family Code § 153.312
Alternate possession (parenting time) periods for non custodial parents:
• Beginning at the time school is regularly dismissed and ending at the time school resumes after that weekend; and
Thursdays of each week during the regular school term beginning at 6 p.m. and ending at 8 p.m.
OR Thursdays of each week beginning when school is dismissed and ending the following day when school resumes
Thursdays
Spring Vacation• Beginning 6 pm the day the child is
dismissed from school and ending at 6 pm on the day before school resumes:
– The Non-Custodial Parent shall have parenting time of the children in even-
numbered years (2014, 2016, etc.)– The Custodial Parent shall have
parenting time for the same period in odd-numbered years (2015,2017, etc.)
• With written notice by April 1– the Non-Custodial Parent shall have
parenting time of the child for 30 days • beginning not earlier than the day after
the child's school is dismissed for the summer vacation and
• ending not later than seven days before school resumes at the end of the summer
vacation, • to be exercised in not more than two
separate periods of at least seven consecutive days each.
Summer Parenting Time
• 30 consecutive days – beginning at 6 p.m. on July 1 and – ending at 6 p.m. on July 31 – Custodial Parent can chose one
weekend out of the 30 days
Without notice by April 1
Parents Who Reside Over 100 Miles Apart
Weekend Parenting TimeParenting Time for Non Custodial
Parents (who live 100 miles away)
• Either weekend parenting time beginning at 6 pm on the first, third and fifth Fridays of each month and ending at 6 pm on the following Sunday; or
• Not more than one weekend per month of the Non-Custodial Parent’s choice:– Beginning at 6:00 p.m. on the day school
recesses for the weekend and ending at 6;00 p.m. on the day before school resumes
– Provided that the Non-Custodial parent gives the Custodial parent 14 days written or telephonic notice preceding the designated weekend; and– Provided that the Non-Custodial parent elects this alternative in writing within 90 days of the
time the parties begin to reside 100 miles apart
Weekend Parenting Time
Spring Vacation• Each year beginning at 6 p.m. the
day the child is dismissed from school for the school’s spring vacation and ending at 6 pm on the day before school resumes
Summer Parenting time• If the Non-Custodial Parent gives
written notice by April 1 of each year– 42 days
– beginning the day after school is dismissed
– Ending not later than 7 days before school resumes
– To be exercised in no more than 2 periods
• 7 consecutive days each period
Summer Parenting Time• If written notice is not given by
April 1– 42 consecutive days– Beginning at 6 pm on June 15– Ending at 6 pm on July 27
Winter Break (Holiday)
Parenting Time
Holiday Parenting TimeThe following provisions involve specific holidays and supersede conflicting weekend or Wednesday/Thursday periods of parenting time regardless of the distance between the parents.
Thanksgiving• The Non-Custodial Parent shall have
parenting time of the child – odd numbered years (2015, 2017, 2019)– beginning at 6 pm on the day the child is
dismissed from school and – ending at 6 pm on the following Sunday
The Custodial Parent shall have parenting time for the same period in even numbered years (2016, 2018, 2020)
Christmas / Winter • The Non-Custodial Parent shall have
parenting time of the child in– Even numbered years (2016, 2018)– Beginning at 6 pm on the day the child is
dismissed from school– Ending at noon on December 28
• The Custodial Parent shall have parenting time for the same period in
odd numbered years (2015, 2017)
Christmas / Winter• The Non-Custodial Parent shall have
parenting time of the child in oddnumbered years (2015. 2017. 2019)– Beginning at noon on December 28– Ending at 6 pm the day before school resumes
• The Custodial Parent shall have parenting time for the same period in even numbered
years (2016, 2018, 2020)
Birthdays• The parent not otherwise entitled to
parenting time of a child on the child’s birthday shall have parenting time beginning at 6 pm and ending at 8 pm on that day– Must pick the child up from the
residence– Must return the child to the residence
Father’s DayThe father has parenting time of the child – Beginning at 6 pm on the Friday before
Father’s Day and – Ending at 6 pm on Father’s Day– Provided that if not otherwise entitled
to parenting time, he picks the child up from the residence and returns the child to the same place
Mother’s DayThe mother has parenting time of the child
• Beginning at 6 pm on the Friday before Mother’s Day and
• Ending at 6 pm on Mother’s Day• Provided that if not otherwise entitled to
parenting time, she picks the child up from the residence and returns the child to the same place
General Orders
• Grandparents do not have rights to parenting time without a court order
General Orders• Each conservator shall return with the
child the personal effects that the child brought at the beginning of the period of parenting time.
General Orders• Either parent may designate any
competent adult to pick up and return the child. A parent or designated competent adult shall be present when the child is picked up and returned.
General OrdersA parent shall give notice to the parent with parenting time of the child on each occasion that the parent will be unable to exercise that parent’s right of parenting time for any specified period.
Shared Parenting TipsCustodial Parents• Allow access to information about
school, sports, activities, and doctor’s appointments
• Be flexible, arrange make-up time when possible
• Schedule activities during your own parenting time
• Have children ready to leave the house on time for parenting time
• Send the children dressed in clothing that fits well and is clean
• Keep conversations about money or other adult topics away from the
children
Non Custodial Parents• Stay informed of important
information, school, sports, activities, doctor’s appointments
• If you have to cancel parenting time first tell the other parent, then get on the phone with your child, explain, and apologize
• Attend extracurricular activities• Pick the children up on time, all of
the time• Try not to bring the children back
exhausted, riled up, dirty, or hungry• Clean clothing before sending them
back to the other parent
Shared Parenting DO’s• Follow the parenting plan to
make the process routine, easy and positive
• Keep your word to the children. Don’t make promises you can’t keep
• Contact the other parent immediately if there is an emergency involving the children
• Encourage excitement for the anticipated communication/parenting time with the other parent
Don’ts• Edit, coach, monitor, or
otherwise interfere with the children’s communication with the other parent
• Take it personally if the child(ren) does not wish to call you regularly when they are with the other parent
• Take it personally if the child(ren) does not wish to stay on the phone too long or not call right back
• Limit the children’s contact with the other parent
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. Can the custodial parent move the child out of the area?A. Parents must review their court order to see if a
geographical restriction is in place.
Q. If the noncustodial parent is not paying child support does the custodial parent have the right to cancel parenting time?A. No, the custodial parent cannot withhold the noncustodial parent from parenting time if he or she is not paying child support.
Q. Is parenting time every other weekend for the noncustodial parent?A. Review your order to find out what is the parenting time, ordinarily it is the first, third, and fifth weekend of the month.
Q. Is the noncustodial parent responsible for providing a car seat for the child during his or her scheduled parenting time?A. Yes, the noncustodial parent must have required items on hand for the child during parenting time.
Frequently Asked Questions continued.......
Important Note• Understanding your court order and
role as a parent and conservator can be complex.
• We highly encourage you to enroll in the co-operative parenting class.
• For class times or individual questions please call (915) 834- 8200 Or visit our website for more information.
Court Order OrientationShared Parenting Program
El Paso County Domestic Relations Office(915) 834-8200
500 E. San Antonio, Rm LL108El Paso, Texas 79901
epcounty.com/dro
